The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello--I am just starting out in vintage watch collecting, and decided to try and find a vintage Top Time. Any thoughts on this one?

I am confused by the Ref 2003, which appears from my searching to be a non-waterproof version with square pushers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Breitling-Top-Time-2-Register-Chronograph-Model-2003-venus-188-/251314792067?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3a83876683

Appreciate any help and look forward to eventually discussing vintage watches and not just asking about authenticity.

there were many different models in the top time range square & round cases two and three subdials most are genuine as they don't usually fake old models its a bit of a minefield for top times TBH

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OP: you are absolutely correct, 2003 should be non-water-resistant, Frankenwatch.
here's the relevant catalog page from 1969:



true: "there were many different models in the top time range square & round cases two and three subdials"

sadly not true: "most are genuine as they don't usually fake old models"

What I meant was a they don't make complete and utter fakes of old watches or at least I have never seen any
I didn't mean they don't make Frankenstein watches which are sadly all to common nowadays especially from Argentina it seams

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dozens of completely fake vintage "Breitling" on ebay at any given moment - and not only there, chrono24 and "reputable" sellers, watches where no component ever came near a Breitling workshop.

this section is full of them, have a browse.

Thanks for the quick responses! If it's a franken, strange that it says 2003 and also waterproof on the same case back. I guess the other question is how much a non-original (but presumably genuine Breitling) case back matters. This would be a watch to wear, not an investment. Complicated hobby I've decided on, but I guess that's part of the fun (as long as you don't get completely taken advantage of.)

According to this post Fred (last entry) it's just an earlier model which looks like it was produced with that back whether it's really waterproof or not.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f11/vintage-breitling-top-time-model-2003-need-help-234113.html

Sonyman, definitely not accurate to say that there are no fakes - more fakes than real at any given time.

I think that this one is OK and wouldn't be the first 2003 that I have seen with a water resistant caseback as the WUS thread suggests.

I have had a few Top Time's go through my hands and I have owned both a non water proof 2003 and a water proof 2000 and my opinion is that this watch is not all Top Time. The cases for each are very different and this ones seems a strange mix of a thin non water proof 2003 and the somewhat thicker waterproof 2000.

Maybe it came out that way, but more importantly for me, if you are going to buy your first vintage Breitling, then my advice would be to invest in one everyone agrees is genuine and leave the "grey" models to someone else to speculate on.

One thing we do all agree on though is that there are a lot of fake Top Times out there and you really do need to be careful, especially as most " buy now" Top Time's look very over priced at the moment and appear to be not selling.

Graham

Oh !!

and here's another one that looks exactly the same - so I guess I was wrong then !!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1960s ... 1031479039

Yes, this is a correct Top Time and I can verify this personally. It is located not far from my home and I was responsible for getting the owner to post image of movement. I was interested myself but it does have brassing issues, needs a new crown for sure, corrosion on hands and topped with service costs these issues could cost more then the watch to resolve so I passed.
This just happens to be one of those gray area watches that with the closure of the Company and records not being complete makes for hesitation and quick conclusions of fake/franken piece and this one has been a victim of such.

Wayne

Thanks for all the help! No matter what happens with this one, I am amazed by the level of time and attention given to my query. Makes me happy that I found this forum going forward.

Many thanks.